Natural Elements is practically a secret society in hip-hop circles in 2014. Back in the day, though, the crew of A-Butta (now known as Anthony Cruz), L-Swift (now known as Swigga), Mr. Voodoo, and producer Charlemagne were lighting it up, whether on classic college radio freestyles or touring overseas with a young Roots crew. They were killing it so much that Tommy Boy signed them, but the rest of the story plays like Industry Rule #4080. Since then, though, A-Butta’s life has been anything but boring, from singing in a Japanese punk rock band to quietly dropping a solo album under his government name. Anthony Cruz gives a rare interview where he speaks on the early Natural Elements days, how he became a member of the crew after Ka’s departure, how they perfected the three-man weave, his adventure in Japanese punk rock, how the Natural Elements crew came back together, why he only likes to write four bars a day, and a lot more in this exclusive interview.

Swigga may have changed his name from L-Swift over 10 years ago, and fortunately for hip-hop fans, that’s not the only thing that changed. Inspired by a new outlook and some real life ish happening in real life, Swigga stepped up his musical output and rapped with a hunger reminiscent of his days with his original crew, the much-revered Natural Elements.

After a solid solo run, which included a grip of mixtapes along with a new crew, The Northeast Wildcats, with Eddie Brock and Al Giddy, he’s back with A-Butta and Mr. Voodoo as Natural Elements. And yes, they’re still ripping it for those who doubt. To prove it, the crew’s dropping NEp, an EP of all new Natural Elements tracks overseen by longtime producer Charlemagne and Scram Jones. Swigga takes some time with HipHopGame to talk about the new music, memories from the first NE run, his solo music, and much more in this in-depth and of course exclusive interview.

From the opening bars of the Incomparable Shakespeare’s latest release By Any Dreams Necessary, it’s clear the MC’s not here to play. By Any Dreams Necessary is a great introduction to the Shakespearean era of hip-hop, from lyrical bangers like “Shaky Baby” to an updated retelling of Romeo and Juliet on “A Love Story.” The Brooklyn product takes some time out of his hectic schedule to let us know where he’s been, where he is, and where he’s going. One thing you can count on is that with everything coming up, he’s gonna stayeth on that grind.